ADHD is characterized by inattention and impulsive behaviors, but an ADHD prognosis is promising. Learn how ADHD symptoms are controlled by getting treatment.

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At first you thought your child was just really high-energy. Then you told yourself he was just forgetful and a little disorganized. Now you're wondering if it might be more than that and if some of his behaviors could be ADHD symptoms — and you’re worried what an ADHD diagnosis means for your child.

Behavior Problems or ADHD Symptoms?

What's wrong with a happy, healthy child being full of energy and even a little rambunctious? Nothing, unless it becomes so persistent and so serious that it's a problem at school and at home.

"All of us, and particularly young children, are overly active sometimes," says Mark A. Riddle, MD, director of the division of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore. "We should expect to see some of these behaviors in all children. There is no clear medical line, if you will, between ‘this is okay’ and ‘this may be problematic.’" But that doesn't mean that there isn't a way to distinguish ADHD symptoms.

If the behaviors are getting in the way of a child's normal development, don’t chalk it up to harmless excess energy. When parents, relatives, teachers, childcare staff, and friends start to get concerned that the problem is significant, whether it’s affecting relationships or involves difficulty focusing on activities, you may be facing ADHD symptoms. "That's when I would suggest that a parent begin to seek an evaluation," says Dr. Riddle.

ADHD Prognosis: The Professional Evaluation

ADHD is diagnosed through a series of tests, both physical and mental evaluations. A child may undergo a physical exam, with hearing, eyesight, and other tests, to rule out any potential physical causes of the symptoms. Then the child's behavior is evaluated in certain circumstances to see if ADHD symptoms are present.

Specific criteria outlined in the DSM-IV, the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association, must be met for a child to be diagnosed with ADHD. These criteria include:

Symptoms that negatively affect the child's social relationships, family life, and school performance

Symptoms that were noticeable before reaching the age of 7

Symptoms that have persisted for six months or longer

Symptoms that occur in multiple environments, like school and home, not just one

Symptoms that aren't caused by lack of development, a physical condition, or a mental or emotional problem

ADHD Prognosis: Treatment Is a Must

Once your child is diagnosed with ADHD, you now have an answer to the behavior problems and the start of a solution.

For many, ADHD is a lifelong disorder, but not necessarily a lifelong battle. ADHD can often be successfully managed with a combination of medication and therapy. This treatment will help the child learn how to overcome the challenges of ADHD in order to succeed in relationships and academics as well as a future career.

"I would say the prognosis with good treatment is generally good," says Riddle. But the ADHD prognosis can be quite different if treatment isn't administered. "The prognosis without treatment and intervention is mixed," Riddle adds, noting that people who continue to deal with untreated ADHD may experience consequences including substance abuse and a higher rate of getting into car accidents. Children probably will struggle at school, with friends, and at home, and those struggles will only continue into adulthood.

While ADHD won't be cured, treatment will stop the disorder from negatively impacting relationships and performance throughout life. If you suspect ADHD symptoms, start the evaluation process and start gaining control of your child's ADHD.

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